Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs David Clark has called on a planned investigation into new home loan regulations to be brought forward amid concerns banks were adopting too hard a line with the guidelines. The Government…

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic had his visa cancelled tonight by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke just days before the Australian Open is due to begin.

His visa to enter the country was granted back on November 18 but the saga surrounding his arrival and vaccination status has been escalating in recent weeks.

The world number one announced in an Instagram post last week he had been granted an exemption to travel to Australia, but was detained on arrival in Melbourne just before midnight on January 5.

LIVE UPDATES: Tennis world reacts to Novac Djokovic's visa cancellation

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic has visa cancelled just days before Australian Open

He spent the night in immigration detention and was interviewed before his visa was cancelled.

On January 10, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia ruled Djokovic's visa was unreasonably cancelled, and ordered him to be released from detention.

At the same time, details were emerging about his movements in Europe before he landed in Melbourne.

Djokovic tested positive to COVID-19 while in Serbia on December 16. He later took part in a photoshoot and interview with French publication L'Equipe.

FULL STATEMENT: Why Novak Djokovic's visa was cancelled

The star later said he did not know he had COVID-19 when he went to two events — the unveiling of a Djokovic stamp and a tennis awards ceremony attended by children.

But he did acknowledge he was knowingly positive while attending the interview with the French magazine, which he issued an apology for on January 12.

Tonight, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used his ministerial powers to cancel Djokovic's visa, saying the decision was made "in the public interest".

Novak Djokovic's visa has been cancelled "in the public interest" just days before the Australian Open tournament is set to begin.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has announced his decision just before 6pm on Friday.

"Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so," he said by written statement.

"In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

"The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia's borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic."

LIVE UPDATES: Reaction after Novak Djokovic has visa cancelled

A statement is yet to be made by Djokovic or his lawyers, with the tennis star having the ability to appeal the cancellation.

He is, however, expected to appeal the decision. A report in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday cited a source close to Djokovic saying the Serb's legal team would "immediately take an adverse decision by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to court".

Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a statement on Friday evening addressing Mr Hawke's decision, saying it was made to protect the "sacrifices" of Australians.

"Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected," the statement read.

"This is what the Minister is doing in taking this action today."

TIMELINE: Novak Djokovic's tumultuous trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open

It is possible Djokovic will not be able to return to Australia for three years following the decision, as Judge Kelly confirmed in court on Monday when the possibility of the minister cancelling Djokovic's visa was raised that such a ban could occur. However, the Australian Government could use its discretion to not apply that ban to the tennis star.

Djokovic was included in the Australian Open draw yesterday after no decision to allow or cancel his visa was made on Thursday.

The world has been waiting to hear if the minister would use his powers to cancel Djokovic's visa after an initial cancellation of the men's world number one's visa was overturned in court on Monday.

Djokovic was detained by the Australian Border Force on his arrival in Melbourne last week, on the grounds that he did not qualify for a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Independent Tasmania Senator Jacqui Lambie this morning called for an end to the long wait.

"Why does this keep dripping out of the tap? Why hasn't the minister done anything about this?" Senator Lambie said on Today.

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"If he's going to do him on character, because they believe that his submission has been lied on, then, you know, this is what we do when our kids play up at school. They get sent home.

"So maybe it's about time to stop this debacle, finish it once and for all without the tap keep dripping and make up your mind."

She asked why Immigration Minister Alex Hawke was "missing in action".

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"If you can't make a decision on Novak Djokovic, goodness me, how are you guys running the country? This is an absolute shambles," she said.

"Let alone what it's making us look like to the rest of the world. It's absolutely a shocker."

Former Australian tennis star Sam Groth said the Djokovic situation was frustrating his fellow players.

"A lot of the players made the decision to get vaccinated, whether they wanted to or didn't, to be able to come and play in the Australian Open," he told Today.

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"A lot of the players who made that decision just to be able to come down to Melbourne Park feel like it is one rule for Novak and one rule for everyone else."

The Border Force is investigating whether Djokovic provided false information on his travel declaration.

The saga initially sparked a massive outcry in Djokovic's native Serbia, with his family leading rallies in the streets, while in Melbourne, crowds gathered outside the hotel Djokovic was temporarily confined to over the weekend.

But that ardour has cooled somewhat after Djokovic admitted to breaking COVID-19 isolation rules in Serbia, an offence which could reportedly net him prison time.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has used his "discretionary powers" to cancel tennis world No.1 Novak Djokovic's visa.

In a statement released this evening, Mr Hawke said he had cancelled Mr Djokovic's visa on the grounds of "health and good order".

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also released a statement saying the decision was in the context of sacrifices made by Australians during the pandemic, "and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected".

Read the full statements below.

LIVE UPDATES: Full coverage and reaction to Novak Djokovic visa cancellation

FULL STATEMENT FROM IMMIGRATION MINISTER ALEX HAWKE

Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

This decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds.

In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic.

The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia's borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I thank the officers of the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force who work every day to serve Australia's interests in increasingly challenging operational environments.

FULL STATEMENT FROM PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON

I note the Minister for Immigration's decision in relation to Mr Novak Djokovic's visa.

I understand that following careful consideration, action has been taken by the Minister to cancel Mr Djokovic's visa held on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

This pandemic has been incredibly difficult for every Australian but we have stuck together and saved lives and livelihoods.

Together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world.

Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.

This is what the Minister is doing in taking this action today.

Our strong border protection policies have kept Australians safe, prior to COVID and now during the pandemic.

Due to the expected ongoing legal proceedings, I will be not be providing any further comment.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic has visa cancelled just days before Australian Open

Police are currently carrying out a large-scale search for a missing nine-year-old girl in the Blue Mountains.

Charlise Mutten, 9, was reported missing from a Mt Wilson property at about 8.20am today.

Officers said Charlise has been missing since Thursday.

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Charlise is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with brown hair.

It's not known what she was wearing at the time.

Hundreds of officers, along with State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews, are looking through dense bushland at Mt Wilson.

Crews are looking in tents and bins for any sign of the child.

"A command post has been established at the Mt Wilson RFS Station with volunteers from the RFS and SES assisting police from the Blue Mountains Police Area Command, Police Rescue, the Dog Unit, and PolAir," NSW Police said in a statement.

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A woman was comforted by ambulance officers at the search centre before being taken to a Katoomba hospital.

Police are appealing for help from the public and have sent out geo-targeting messages.

Late this afternoon, a car was seized in Penrith by police.

The search will continue into this evening and begin again at first light tomorrow.

9News understands the homicide squad has been called in to assist local detectives.

One person has died after being trapped under a truck in Pōkeno.Shortly after 6pm today police received a report of a person trapped under a truck at Dean Rd.Emergency services went to the property south of Auckland but the…

A man has been charged with murder after two men were shot dead in what police believe to have been a "neighbour dispute" in Melbourne's south-east.

Police arrived at a property on McDonald Street in Mordialloc, about 24km south-east of the CBD, following reports of gunshots about 9.10pm.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police found neighbours treating two men, aged 72 and 62, who had been shot.

Both men died at the scene.

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Multiple shots were fired during the incident.

Detective Inspector Thomas said police then began searching for the shooter and were confronted by an armed 73-year-old man, who pointed a gun at police.

An officer fire a shot at the man but missed him.

Detective Inspector Thomas said the man then retreated into a home and after some time, surrendered to police.

The Mordialloc man has this afternoon been charged with two counts of murder, conduct endangering life and seriously assaulting police.

He is expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court later this evening.

This morning Detective Inspector Thomas said it was early stages in the investigation but investigators "believed it to be some sort of neighbour dispute".

The shooting occurred in a block of units, with all parties involved believed to be residents.

Police are calling for anyone who was in the area at the time and who might have dashcam footage or information to contact police.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

The Black Summer bushfires left a devastating mark on Australia and on our wildlife.

A new bushfire training course is now being offered nationwide to prepare vets across the country to help wildlife in need.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital vet, Dr Larry Vogelnest, developed the specialist program.

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After 32 years of treating injured animals, and seeing the disastrous mark left by bushfires, he recognised the need for further training.

"It became very apparent early in 2020 that there was a need to build capacity among general practice vets and vet nurses to learn more about Australian wildlife and how to treat burns patients," Dr Vogelnest said.

It was in those very fires images of an injured koala went viral around the globe during the horror season.

The animal, named Lewis, became a global symbol of the Black Summer disaster, his injuries raising awareness around the need to care for our wildlife.  

"Seeing burnt animals, seeing animals suffering is awful. It's just awful," Dr Vogelnest said.

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So far, $2 million has been put into the program and its development, with the course providing important first response information to ensure native animals are appropriately cared for and treated.

"When we have future fire events we know that many of our vets and vet nurses will be equipped to receive injured animals, treat them and make them better," Environment Minister Sussan Ley said.

More than 3200 veterinary staff have already accessed the program, including some from overseas.

"Even though it focuses on Australian species, the principles are the same," he said.

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The course is online and is free to access for all vets and vet nurses.

"It's wonderful to see that we've got this funding to really build our capacity as a nation to really care for our wildlife in a way they need to be cared for," Cameron Kerr, CEO of the Taronga Conservation Society, said.

Hillsong Church will not be fined by NSW Police for hosting a youth camp resembling a music festival in Newcastle, despite the state's ban on singing and dancing under public health orders.

NSW Police issued a statement that "no infringement will be issued" to the organisers of the event.

"NSW Police have attended an event in the Newcastle area and have spoken with organisers," Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Glynn said.

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"Following discussions with organisers and after consultation with NSW Health, no infringement will be issued.

"Event organisers are aware of their obligations under the Public Health Orders, and NSW Police will continue to ensure ongoing compliance."

It comes after a Hillsong spokesperson confirmed yesterday an "annual high school aged youth camp" was underway at Glenrock State Conservation Park in Newcastle.

Witnesses said the church's camp resembled a music festival, with tents set up with live music and DJs playing along with "a lot of people".

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Hillsong has denied any claims that the camp was a music festival.

"These events are our annual high school aged youth camps, and are not similar to a music festival in any way," a Hillsong spokesperson said in a statement.

"Our camps involve primarily outdoor recreational activities including sports and games.

"We follow strict COVID procedures and adhere to government guidelines.

"Outdoor Christian services are held during the camp but these are only a small part of the program, and any singing is only a small part of each service."

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The community and state politicians are outraged by the event.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the Hillsong event was "clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the order, which is in place to help keep the community safe".

Today, Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was "completely shocked".

"I echo the frustration and anger that other people across the state felt," he said.

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Locals dubbed the event a "double standard" after the Grapevine Gathering music festival was recently cancelled due to the public health orders.

Under NSW public health orders, singing and dancing at music festivals, hospitality venues, nightclubs, entertainment facilities and major recreation facilities is prohibited to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

Gold Coast residents have joined forces with an off-duty police officer to rescue eight ducklings trapped in a storm drain.

Residents in the suburb of Robina had come to the ducklings' aid, using a crowbar and net to prise open the drain.

Video footage captured the reunion of the ducklings with their parents.

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"If someone can just grab them out of there for me please," one resident said as the ducklings were scooped to safety.

The family of ducks were uninjured, as Robina residents watched the reunited family continue on their way.

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